|
Commonwealth of Kentucky Senator Phillip Wheeler |
|
|
SEN. PHILLIP WHEELER’S LEGISLATIVE UPDATEWeek eight of the 2026 Regular Session |
| Attention in Frankfort is increasingly focused on the session’s biggest priorities, particularly education and the state budget. As legislation moves between the House and Senate, the goal remains long-term, responsible policies that strengthen Kentucky families, students, and communities.
This week, the General Assembly advanced House Bill (HB) 1, which allows Kentucky to participate in a new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program. By opting in, Kentucky can ensure federal tax dollars connected to our taxpayers stay here and support students in our own communities.
Importantly, HB 1 does not create a new state program, raise taxes, or reduce funding for public schools. Kentucky’s education funding formula remains unchanged, and SEEK funding is not impacted. Instead, the measure gives families additional resources for tutoring, instructional materials, special services, and other educational supports.
The decision is straightforward. Federal tax credits will be claimed regardless of whether Kentucky participates. Opting in ensures those resources benefit Kentucky students rather than flowing to other states.
Recently, Senate Bill (SB) 197, legislation I’m sponsoring to strengthen economic development in rural Kentucky, advanced from the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee. The bill creates a tiered incentive structure that directs additional tools to counties facing population decline and higher unemployment, including many in eastern Kentucky. Our Commonwealth has seen record investment in recent years, but not every region has shared equally in that growth. This measure helps ensure communities like ours have a stronger opportunity to compete for new jobs and long-term investment.
I am also pleased to share that the Senate has passed SB 98, a measure I am sponsoring this session. The bill strengthens safety and quality standards for structural steel welding on commercial and infrastructure projects. SB 98 ensures nationally recognized certification and testing requirements are followed, helping protect workers and the public while reinforcing the value of Kentucky’s skilled trades. In a region where manufacturing, construction, and skilled labor are a vital part of our economy, maintaining high standards is something I take seriously, and this legislation reflects that commitment.
Like many of you, I have watched the proposal to start an enormous new landfill at Myra, KY with great concern. As someone who has championed outdoor adventure tourism during my entire tenure in Frankfort, I do not want our beautiful region to become a dumping ground for the rest of the country’s trash. However, we do need to work together as a community to find a solution to our close-to-capacity county landfill on Ford Mountain. It also needs to be an open discussion with community input and involvement.
SB 29 was filed by Senator Greg Elkins (R-Winchester) regarding a specific situation that was occurring in Greenup County and Fayette County where the “sending” counties were attempting to assess a tipping fee on the landfills in the receiving counties. Essentially, they were trying to make the landfills pay them to accept their garbage. The purposes of the tipping fee is to compensate the county where a landfill is located for the burdens associated with hosting a landfill. Sending counties (or other states) should not be able to profit off sending their garbage to other counties. SB 29 prohibits these practices.
SB 52 is a bill filed by Senator Steve Rawlings (R-Burlington) from Northern Kentucky to move state permits along in applications where the law or administration does otherwise establish a timeline. It does not apply to permits issued on a local level like city or county permits. As you might imagine, there are a myriad of timelines and regulations regarding the establishment of landfills. In fact, there are very specific timelines regarding the permitting process for landfills, which can be found online HERE. Thus, SB 52 would not have anything to do with permitting a landfill. However, it would speed things along like building permits.
Below are several other bills that passed the Senate this week.
SB 37 designates the Treeing Walker Coonhound as Kentucky’s official state dog, recognizing the breed’s deep connection to the commonwealth’s hunting heritage and outdoor traditions.
SB 52 strengthens transparency and accountability in state permitting and licensing by requiring agencies to clearly define approval criteria in law and issue decisions within 30 days when no timeline exists.
SB 98 requires contractors to comply with recognized welding safety standards when specified in project plans and ensures qualified inspection of critical welds.
SB 124 allows school districts to offer teachers and school employees the option to receive payment for a portion of unused sick leave while still preserving the choice to save time for emergencies or retirement.
SB 129 reduces employer contribution rates to the Unemployment Insurance Service Capacity Upgrade Fund, which was created to modernize the state’s unemployment system after failures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SB 157 aligns Kentucky mortgage law with federal standards by clarifying how certain loan amounts are calculated and providing exemptions for loans below federal thresholds. The measure promotes consistency and transparency in lending.
SB 162 streamlines Kentucky’s juvenile diversion process by removing a required step that testimony showed had become slow and inconsistent in many communities.
SB 214 authorizes the Department of Agriculture to accept and manage nonfederal grants and private funds that support its programs. An emergency clause allows the department to immediately pursue new funding opportunities that benefit farmers and rural communities.
HB 314 modernizes oversight of KentuckyWired by transferring operational management to state technology professionals and reforming governance to improve accountability and efficiency. An emergency provision ensures uninterrupted service during the transition.
As always, it’s an honor to serve you in Frankfort. If you have questions or ideas, feel free to contact my office at 502-564-8100 or email me at Phillip.Wheeler@kylegislature.gov. You can learn more about bills, committees, and other updates from the Kentucky General Assembly at www.legislature.ky.gov.
###
Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, represents Kentucky’s 31st Senate District, including Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike Counties. Wheeler serves as chair of the Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and vice chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He is also co-chair of the Capital Planning Advisory Board. Additionally, Wheeler is a member of the Senate Committees on Transportation, Natural Resources and Energy, and Licensing and Occupations.
|
